Minister Rosy Akbar with members of the National Council for Older Persons celebrate the second anniversary of the Council..Photo:SUPPLIED.
The welfare and care of the elderly and senior citizens continues to be a priority for the Government.
This was relayed by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar during a meeting of the National Council of Older Persons (NCOP) at the Samabula Senior Citizens Home today.
“This forum paves the way forward in strengthening the collaboration between government and stakeholders to ensure that voices and the needs of senior citizens are captured at all levels of the development process,” Minister Akbar said.
NCOP emanated from Fiji’s National Ageing Policy endorsed in 2011, which through its programs continues to demonstrate genuine care and compassion for senior citizens in Fiji.
The council is progressively pursuing a National Minimum Standards for Residential Homes for the Elderly with the intent of improving operations and care in such institutions.
Minister Akbar reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens age with care, respect and dignity.
“It is necessary for NCOP to realize its fully fledged establishment throughout Fiji and equally the council’s aspirations need to trickle down to the grassroots as we tackle the challenges, concerns and interests of senior citizens,” Minister Akbar said.
Samabula Senior Citizens Home chairman, Mohammed Ali Maqbool said NCOP plays a linking role in looking after the needs of the elderly citizens.
“Government assists us in many ways, particularly by providing a budget which enables us to provide the much needed care to our senior citizens,” Mr Maqbool said.
NCOP received a budgetary allocation of $200,000 this year to provide an enabling environment for the existing aged care facilities around the country.
The council also celebrated its second anniversary today with the 99th birthday celebration of a resident, Benina Cirivesi at Samabula Senior Citizens Home.